Repositioning device, garment, and posture molding method and training instruction method using them

Abstract

A repositioning device and a garment ( 101 ), to be used in daily activities or exercise, correct one's posture to a proper ideal one and create superior body balance. A posture molding method and a training instruction method utilize the repositioning device and the garment. The repositioning device contains a vibration generator inside a case. From the vibration generator, vibratory stimulation is provided to the skin on a human body surface, thereby promoting neurotransmission in muscles. The garment ( 101 ) is equipped with point stimulation parts ( 10 a ) and/or surface stimulation parts ( 10 b ) for promoting facilitation and inhibition of neurotransmission in muscles, respectively. In molding a posture or giving training instructions, a practitioner/trainer utilizes the repositioning device and the garment ( 101 ) to facilitate and/or inhibit neurotransmission in muscles.

1 . A repositioning device which comprises a case applicable to a human body surface and having a hollow chamber therein, and one or more pieces contained in the case, 
 wherein a space for permitting rolling and bouncing movements of the one or more pieces is defined in the hollow chamber of the case,    the one or more pieces vibrate the case by rolling and bouncing inside the hollow chamber in response to body movements, and    the case is made in such a size as to secure a space for generating such vibrations in the space inside the hollow chamber, to provide vibratory stimulation to a part of the skin corresponding to a human body surface to which the case is applied, and to facilitate neurotransmission in at least one muscle at said part.    
   
   
       2 . A repositioning device which comprises a case applicable to a human body surface, a vibration generator arranged to generate vibrations in a range of 3 Hz to 5 MHz, a power source for supplying power to the vibration generator, and a controller for controlling generation of vibrations by the vibration generator, 
 wherein the case is made in such a size that vibratory stimulation by the vibration generator is transmitted to a part of the skin corresponding to a human body surface to which the case is applied, and that the vibratory stimulation facilitates neurotransmission in at least one muscle at said part.    
   
   
       3 . A repositioning device according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the vibration generator generates vibrations in a range of 100 Hz to 200 Hz.    
   
   
       4 . A repositioning device according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the controller is arranged to control the stimulation to the skin in such a manner as to prevent neurotransmission facilitated in at least one muscle from being accustomed and adapted to the stimulation.    
   
   
       5 . A garment which comprises at least either of a point stimulation part or a surface stimulation part, 
 with a proviso that muscles involved in antigravitational exercise are classified into groups, according to the degree of muscle tone which is affected by postural difference and by laterality-related difference in neurotransmission,    wherein the point stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups, and with a person wearing the garment, the point stimulation part facilitates neurotransmission in the at least one muscle, and    the surface stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups, and with a person wearing the garment, the surface stimulation part inhibits neurotransmission in the at least one muscle.    
   
   
       6 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the point stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one multiarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of multiarticular muscles having high muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       7 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the point stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one monoarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of monoarticular muscles having high muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       8 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the point stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one multiarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of multiarticular muscles having low muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       9 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the point stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one monoarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of monoarticular muscles having low muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       10 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the surface stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one multiarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of multiarticular muscles having high muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       11 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the surface stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one monoarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of monoarticular muscles having high muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       12 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the surface stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one multiarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of multiarticular muscles having low muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       13 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the surface stimulation part is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one monoarticular muscle,    said muscle being selected from a group of monoarticular muscles having low muscle tone, in such a manner as to mold an ideal exercise posture.    
   
   
       14 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part is positioned asymmetrically in such a manner as to improve generation and use of power in muscle activity, with said muscle activity being considered in terms of a sagittal plane, a frontal plane, a horizontal plane, and the human anatomical position which involves said planes altogether.    
   
   
       15 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part is positioned asymmetrically in such a manner as to improve skill in muscle activity, with said muscle activity being considered in terms of a sagittal plane, a frontal plane, a horizontal plane, and the human anatomical position which involves said planes altogether.    
   
   
       16 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part is provided with respect to at least either one of a pair of muscles which are three-dimensionally antagonistic to each other.    
   
   
       17 . A garment according to  claim 5 , 
 wherein the point stimulation part generates stimulation which is strong enough to be recognized by receptors in the skin,    the surface stimulation part generates stimulation which is strong enough to be recognized by C-fibers, and    stimulation generated by the point stimulation part and stimulation generated by the surface stimulation part are designed to be more intense than stimulation generated by any other part.    
   
   
       18 . A garment according to  claim 17 , wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part generates stimulation by one or more projections made on a skin side of a fabric.  
   
   
       19 . A garment according to  claim 17 , 
 wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part is a projecting pattern formed on a skin side of a fabric, the projecting pattern being formed at a corresponding part after the fabric is manufactured.    
   
   
       20 . A garment according to  claim 17 , 
 wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part generates heat stimulation or cold stimulation.    
   
   
       21 . A garment according to  claim 17 , 
 wherein at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part derives from a fabric composition.    
   
   
       22 . A garment according to  claim 17 , 
 wherein a fiber which constitutes at least either of the point stimulation part or the surface stimulation part is different from a fiber which constitutes a fabric composition for the rest of the garment.    
   
   
       23 . A garment according to  claim 17 , 
 which is formed to fit closely on a body of a person who wears it, such that the surface stimulation part applies a greater clothing pressure than the rest of the garment.    
   
   
       24 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture which comprises: 
 using a garment according to  claim 5;     promoting facilitation of neurotransmission and raising awareness of a desired muscle by a point stimulation part which is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups; and/or    promoting inhibition of neurotransmission and decreasing awareness of a desired muscle by a surface stimulation part which is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups.    
   
   
       25 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture which comprises: 
 with a proviso that muscles involved in antigravitational exercise are classified into groups, according to the degree of muscle tone which is affected by postural difference and by laterality-related difference in neurotransmission,    providing a point stimulator and/or a surface stimulator at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups, wherein said point stimulator promotes facilitation of neurotransmission in the muscle and raises awareness of the muscle, and said surface stimulator promotes inhibition of neurotransmission in the muscle and decreases awareness of the muscle.    
   
   
       26 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the point stimulator is provided for an agonist and facilitates muscle activity of the agonist, and    said facilitation improves generation and use of power in muscle activity.    
   
   
       27 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the surface stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to an agonist, and inhibits muscle activity of the antagonist, and    said inhibition improves generation and use of power in muscle activity.    
   
   
       28 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the point stimulator is provided for an agonist and facilitates muscle activity of the agonist,    the surface stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to the agonist, and inhibits muscle activity of the antagonist, and    a combination of said facilitation and inhibition improves generation and use of power in muscle activity.    
   
   
       29 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the surface stimulator is provided for an agonist and inhibits muscle activity of the agonist, and    said inhibition improves skill in muscle activity.    
   
   
       30 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the point stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to an agonist, and enhances muscle activity of the antagonist, and    said enhancement improves skill in muscle activity.    
   
   
       31 . A posture molding method for molding an ideal posture according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the surface stimulator is provided for an agonist and inhibits muscle activity of the agonist,    the point stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to the agonist, and enhances muscle activity of the antagonist, and    a combination of said inhibition and enhancement improves skill in muscle activity.    
   
   
       32 . A training instruction method which comprises: 
 using a garment according to  claim 5 , and    allowing a person to perform exercise while promoting facilitation of neurotransmission and raising awareness of a desired muscle by a point stimulation part which is formed at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups, and/or while promoting inhibition of neurotransmission and decreasing awareness of a desired muscle by a surface stimulation part which is formed at a location corresponding to a functional skin area of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups.    
   
   
       33 . A training instruction method which comprises: 
 with a proviso that muscles involved in antigravitational exercise are classified into groups, according to the degree of muscle tone which is affected by postural difference and by laterality-related difference in neurotransmission,    allowing a person to perform exercise while providing a point stimulator and/or a surface stimulator at a location corresponding to a skin surface within an area ranging from an origin to an insertion of at least one muscle selected from said muscle groups, wherein said point stimulator promotes facilitation of neurotransmission in the muscle and raises awareness of the muscle, and said surface stimulator promotes inhibition of neurotransmission in the muscle and decreases awareness of the muscle.    
   
   
       34 . A training instruction method according to  claim 33 , 
 wherein the point stimulator is provided for an agonist and facilitates muscle activity of the agonist, and    said facilitation improves generation and use of power in muscle activity.    
   
   
       35 . A training instruction method according to  claim 33 , 
 wherein the surface stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to an agonist, and inhibits muscle activity of the antagonist, and    said inhibition improves generation and use of power in muscle activity.    
   
   
       36 . A training instruction method according to  claim 33 , 
 wherein the point stimulator is provided for an agonist and facilitates muscle activity of the agonist,    the surface stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to the agonist, and inhibits muscle activity of the antagonist, and    a combination of said facilitation and inhibition improves generation and use of power in muscle activity.    
   
   
       37 . A training instruction method according to  claim 33 , 
 wherein the surface stimulator is provided for an agonist and inhibits muscle activity of the agonist, and    said inhibition improves skill in muscle activity.    
   
   
       38 . A training instruction method according to  claim 33 , 
 wherein the point stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic to an agonist, and enhances muscle activity of the antagonist, and    said enhancement improves skill in muscle activity.    
   
   
       39 . A training instruction method according to  claim 33 , 
 wherein the surface stimulator is provided for an agonist and inhibits muscle activity of the agonist,    the point stimulator is provided for an antagonist which is antagonistic the agonist, and enhances muscle activity of the antagonist, and    a combination of said inhibition and enhancement improves skill in muscle activity.